10 Eco-Friendly Make Up Brands To Make Sustainable Choices

Sustainable makeup brands are stealing the spotlight in 2025, as eco-conscious consumers demand more than just beauty; they want responsibility. From cruelty-free formulas to ethically sourced ingredients, the industry is evolving to prioritize the planet. Brands are stepping up with refillable products, biodegradable packaging, and carbon-neutral production, redefining what it means to be beautiful.

This transformation isn’t just a trend; it’s a revolution where transparency and sustainability have become the golden rules for thriving in the modern beauty world.

Almost everyone has some kind of makeup product in their collection, whether it’s just a simple lipstick or a whole treasure trove of eyeshadows and foundations! And honestly, who can blame us? Makeup has this magical way of pulling a look together, making us feel fabulous, and boosting our confidence. A little mascara or blush can work wonders, helping us feel more comfortable in our skin.

But let’s talk about something that’s not so pretty in the beauty world: plastic. Unfortunately, many makeup products come in plastic packaging, which contributes to a big waste problem. We see it piling up in landfills and oceans, and it’s harming our beautiful planet.

The great news? You don’t have to give up quality or your favorite ingredients to find zero waste makeup! There are amazing brands out there that focus on eco-friendly practices. They offer fabulous products in innovative packaging, like reusable compacts and biodegradable materials, these makeup brands make excellent eco-friendly gift ideas. By choosing these zero-waste options, you can enjoy your makeup while also being kind to the environment. It’s a win-win!

So, let’s embrace sustainable beauty together and make choices that not only make us look good but also feel good about our impact on the planet!

What Makes A Make-Up Brand Eco-Friendly?

An eco-friendly make-up product is characterized by its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility throughout every stage of its life cycle. This includes the careful selection of raw materials, opting for ingredients that are renewable, sustainably sourced, and free from harmful chemicals.

The production processes are designed to minimize waste and energy consumption, often utilizing eco-conscious manufacturing practices that reduce the carbon footprint.

Clean, Non‑Toxic Ingredients

Sustainable Sourcing

Minimal & Recyclable Packaging

10 Sustainable & Plastic-Free Makeup Brands

Elate Cosmetics

If you’re looking for sustainable makeup that is kind to the planet and your skin, Elate Cosmetics is an excellent choice. As a brand that focuses on providing sustainable make-up products that prioritize both environmental responsibility and skin health.

Their mission is to create cosmetics that not only enhance beauty but also contribute positively to the planet. The brand uses eco-friendly ingredients and packaging, ensuring that their products are safe for both users and the environment.

What makes them environmentally friendly?

Over 95% of their packaging is reusable, recyclable, or plantable: Their bamboo palettes and compostable tin inserts are designed for endless refills, eliminating single-use plastics.

Bio-based caps made from biomass: The caps for their pencils are composed of 55% corn-based biomass, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared to fossil fuel-based plastics.

Closed-loop recycling initiative: In collaboration with Pact Collective, you can send back empty products for responsible recycling or composting. Every foundation, mascara tube, and eyeshadow pan receives a chance for a new life.

Best Products

Bamboo Foundation Stick
A creamy, buildable coverage stick in a sleek bamboo tube—blend with fingers or brush, then refill the metal insert when you’re done.

Lip Whip™
A hydrating tinted balm housed in a plant‑based bio cap, available in subtle nudes through vibrant corals.

River Organics

River Organics is a groundbreaking brand that harmoniously combines artistic design with scientific principles to create a unique line of makeup products. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their entirely plastic-free formulation, ensuring that each product is not only kind to your skin but also protects the environment. This thoughtful approach means that consumers can enjoy high-quality cosmetics without compromising their health or the planet.

The gentle ingredients used in their makeup line provide a soothing experience, making it suitable for all skin types. By choosing River Organics, individuals can embrace beauty that aligns with eco-conscious values, celebrating both personal expression and environmental responsibility.

What contributes to their eco-friendliness?

Completely compostable paper tubes and jars: Every container, from lip balms to mascaras, is suitable for home composting, including labels made from sugarcane fiber by River Organics.

Waste-free shipping: Orders are delivered in recycled, plastic-free mailers without unnecessary marketing inserts—just pure, eco-friendly makeup goodness from River Organics.

Formulas based on plant oils: All products are carefully hand-crafted in small batches, utilizing nourishing plant oils (such as green tea and raspberry) that moisturize the skin while reducing water consumption.

Best Products

Compostable Mascara
A volumizing, smudge‑proof mascara in a paper tube that you toss in the compost at end‑of‑life.

Pressed Powder Blush
A mineral‑rich, talc‑free blush in a cardboard compact—lightweight, blendable, and 100% home‑compostable when you finish it.

Fat and the Moon

Steeped in herbal tradition, Fat and the Moon proves that sustainable makeup can be magical. This brand not only emphasizes the use of natural ingredients but also integrates the timeless wisdom of herbalism into their products. Each item is crafted with care, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical practices.

The magic lies not only in the enchanting formulations that enhance beauty but also in the belief that make-up can be both effective and kind to the earth.

Fat and the Moon demonstrates that embracing a holistic approach to beauty can create enchanting results, inviting users to experience the transformative power of nature in their daily routines.

What makes them environmentally friendly?

Glass and aluminum containers: The majority of their products are packaged in glass pots or aluminum tins that can be recycled indefinitely; kraft paper pouches are entirely compostable.

TerraCycle “PUMPED” program: They offer a free take-back service for beauty packaging. Fat and the Moon will recycle or compost it on your behalf, even if the packaging is from other brands.

Organic, ethically sourced botanicals: Their formulations utilize local, organic herbs and minerals, avoiding synthetic fillers and microplastics.

Best Products

Herbal Blush Serum
A liquid‑to‑powder blush infused with organic rosehip and hibiscus in an aluminum tin.

Magical Moon Mascara
A black‑bean–based formula in a glass vial with an aluminum cap—buildable length without synthetic waxes.

Pyra Beauty

Latin-owned Pyra Beauty is a brand that specializes in providing high-quality, glow-worthy beauty products, including illuminators and powders. What sets Pyra Beauty apart is its commitment to sustainability; the brand uses plastic-free packaging, which addresses the growing concern over plastic waste in the beauty industry.

Their products are designed to enhance the skin’s natural radiance while adhering to environmentally friendly practices, making them a popular choice among eco-conscious consumers.

The illuminators and powders are crafted to offer a luminous finish, perfect for various skin tones, ensuring that everyone can achieve that sought-after glow without compromising their values or the planet.

What makes them environmentally friendly?

Biodegradable cardboard containers: Their loose powders and illuminators are packaged in cardboard that you can clean and reuse as a plant pot after it’s empty, according to Pyra Beauty.

Minimal, non-toxic components: The foundations consist of 90% plant-derived ingredients (like shea butter and aloe), while the powders are devoid of talc, parabens, and phthalates—an ingredient selection that benefits both you and the environment, as stated on their website.

Small-batch manufacturing: Fewer product types result in reduced waste, minimal product turnover, and a smaller overall environmental impact.

Best Products

Luminizing Highlighter Powder
A finely milled, glow‑catching loose powder in a biodegradable cardboard jar that doubles as a seed‑starter pot.

Mineral Blush Duo
Two complementary shades of blush in one plant‑fiber compact—tap on for a soft flush or layer for deeper color.

100% Pure

A pioneer in environmentally friendly makeup, 100% Pure is not just focused on using clean and sustainable ingredients, but it also tackles the issue of packaging waste proactively.

This brand has made significant strides in creating products that are not only safe for the skin but also for the planet. Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond the formulation of their cosmetics; they aim to minimize their environmental footprint by using eco-conscious materials for packaging, ensuring that their containers are recyclable or compostable.

By prioritizing environmental responsibility, 100% Pure sets a benchmark in the beauty industry, encouraging other brands to follow suit in reducing their impact on the environment while delivering high-quality products to consumers.

What contributes to their eco-friendliness?

Certified carbon-neutral: They compensate for emissions associated with each product, from raw materials to shipping, achieving 100% PURE.

75% reduction in petrochemical packaging: All packaging will be either post-consumer recycled or recyclable by 2024; they offer a free trial-size product in exchange for returned empties, achieving 100% PURE.

Biodegradable protective packing: Orders are shipped in recycled boxes, cushioned with packing peanuts made from cornstarch.

Best Products

Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara
A lash‑lengthening mascara colored with black tea, acai, and minerals—no synthetic dyes.

Fruit Pigmented® BB Cream
A light‑coverage, skin‑brightening BB cream infused with antioxidant‑rich fruit pigments.

Sustain Yourself

Twin-sister founders, driven by a passion for sustainability and a desire to reduce plastic waste, transformed their dorm-room DIY projects into a groundbreaking make-up line. This innovative brand features eco-friendly products packaged in push-up tubes, allowing for easy application while eliminating the use of traditional plastic containers.

Their journey began with a commitment to create a beauty line that aligns with environmentally conscious values, and they have successfully combined aesthetics with a mission to promote a plastic-free lifestyle.

Through their efforts, they aim to inspire others in the beauty industry to consider sustainable practices and make more environmentally responsible choices.

What makes them sustainable & plastic-free?

Entirely compostable push-up paper tubes: Completely free of plastic, these tubes are made from plant-based materials and can be thrown directly into the compost once they’re empty.

Versatile formulas: Their lip and cheek tints help minimize the number of products needed, reducing overall consumption.

Locally produced in small batches: Crafted in Minneapolis, each order is made with a focus on minimizing transport emissions.

Best Products

Lip & Cheek Push‑Up Tube (Peach Pop)
A dual‑use, creamy tint in a fully compostable paper “push‑up” tube—no plastic inner liner.

Eye Pencil (Midnight Black)
A long‑wear graphite pencil for precise lining, entirely in compostable paper casing.

Zerra & Co

Zerra & Co. is a brand dedicated to sustainability and eco-conscious practices, emphasizing a minimalistic approach in their product offerings. They focus on reducing their environmental impact by utilizing environmentally friendly makeup formulations that are safe for both the users and the planet. Their products are housed in minimal packaging, which not only reduces waste but also aligns with the brand’s commitment to promoting a greener future.

By selecting ingredients that are ethically sourced and sustainable, Zerra & Co. aims to cater to consumers who are increasingly aware of the ecological consequences of their purchasing decisions.

This commitment to environmental stewardship resonates with customers looking for beauty products that reflect their values of sustainability and responsibility.

What makes them an environmentally friendly makeup brand?

Glass containers + sturdy paper palettes: The majority of products are packaged in small glass jars that can be repurposed, and their palettes are fully recyclable or can be returned for reuse

Carbon-neutral delivery: Shipments from the lab to your home are offset to achieve zero emissions.

Supplier selection: They partner with ingredient and packaging suppliers who also minimize plastic usage and monitor single-use waste.

Best Products

Mineral Blush Pot
A softly shimmering, blendable mineral blush in a small glass jar—perfect for desktop or travel.

Eyeliner Pencil (Charcoal)
A creamy, charcoal‑rich liner in a wood‑pulp barrel that you compost when it’s done.

Izzy

The world’s first zero-waste, carbon-neutral mascara tube represents a groundbreaking innovation in the beauty industry, aiming to address the pressing issues of environmental sustainability and waste reduction. This innovative product not only minimizes the ecological footprint associated with traditional mascara packaging but also sets a precedent for future cosmetic formulations.

By diving straight into refill territory, it encourages consumers to adopt more sustainable practices by offering a refillable option that helps reduce plastic waste. This shift not only meets the growing demand for eco-friendly products but also demonstrates a commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.

The combination of zero waste and carbon neutrality highlights a responsible approach to beauty, reflecting broader trends towards sustainable consumption and ethical manufacturing processes in the cosmetics sector.

What Makes Them Sustainable?

Medical-grade stainless steel tubes are created for longevity, with the only plastic components (brush + wiper) being ground down and recycled on site at ZeroWasteStore.com.

They have a 78% reduced carbon footprint after 25 refills compared to single-use options, due to in-house production and water recycling at Zerowastestore.com

The refill membership includes sterilized returns and mailers to ensure that every empty item is reused.

Best Products

Stainless Steel Mascara Tube + Refill
The zero‑waste mascara system: buy the metal tube once, then order bundled refills of the inner mascara cartridges.

Stainless Steel Eyeliner + Refill
A sleek metal eyeliner casing plus plant‑based pigment refills; no plastic, ever.

Trestique

Trestique’s innovative “buy once, refill forever” model represents a significant advancement in the realm of plastic-free make-up. This approach not only emphasizes sustainability by reducing the reliance on single-use plastic but also encourages consumers to invest in high-quality products that can be reused multiple times.

With Trestique, customers can purchase the initial makeup item, which is designed to be refillable, allowing them to simply replenish their favorite shades and formulas without the need to buy a completely new product.

This model aligns with the growing demand for environmentally friendly practices in the beauty industry, as consumers become more conscious of their purchasing habits and the impact they have on the planet.

What Makes Them An Earth Friendly Makeup Brand?

Trestique’s commitment to reducing waste while providing a versatile and user-friendly experience sets a new standard for beauty brands looking to innovate responsibly.

On average, 87% of their packaging is made from recycled materials, resulting in over a 90% reduction in virgin plastic thanks to refillable systems by trèStiQue.

Their refills are housed in FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink, utilizing responsibly sourced paper tubes that easily fit into magnetic cases by trèStiQue.

They maintain carbon neutrality through their partnership with Pact Collective, offsetting the carbon footprint of every unit, and provide easy options for drop-off or mail-back recycling.

Best Products

Mini Matte Lip Crayon (Maui Matte)
A long‑lasting, hydrating lip crayon in a magnetic, recyclable tube, refillable when you finish it.

Highlight & Perfect™ Multi‑Stick (Beam)
A luminous multi‑stick for eyes, cheeks, and lips in a compact paper tube that drops into your metal case.

Kjaer Weis

Luxury meets zero waste in this groundbreaking sustainable make-up pioneer, where high-end beauty products are crafted with a commitment to environmental responsibility. This innovative brand combines premium ingredients and luxurious packaging with a firm dedication to minimizing waste, ensuring that every product not only enhances beauty but also respects our planet.

By employing eco-friendly practices, such as biodegradable materials and refillable options, this company stands at the forefront of a movement that redefines the beauty industry.

Their mission is to provide consumers with guilt-free glamour, promoting a lifestyle that values both aesthetics and sustainability.

In a world increasingly aware of environmental issues, this brand exemplifies how luxury and eco-consciousness can coexist harmoniously, inspiring others to rethink their beauty routines and make more responsible choices.

What contributes to their eco-friendliness?

Refillable metal or “compostable leather” palettes: Once you have the elegant casing, you can easily replace it with paper-wrapped refills, eliminating single-use waste.

Water-based inks & FSC-certified paper: All shipping and packing materials are compostable or recyclable and printed with non-toxic water-based inks.

B-Corp certified with a philanthropic approach: For every product purchased, they support charitable initiatives and uphold rigorous fair labor practices.

Best Products

Cream Blush (Refillable)
A luxurious, dewy cream blush in a metal case—once you’ve bought the casing, you only need to buy the paper‑wrapped refills.

Eyeshadow (Refillable)
Highly pigmented powder shadows in rich mattes and metallics; swap into your existing compact.

Zero Waste Lifestyle & Tangie Promise

Living a zero waste lifestyle is all about reducing waste and making choices that are kind to our planet. It’s a fun and fulfilling way to live that encourages us to think about how we use resources and what happens to our trash. By focusing on reusing, recycling, and composting, we can help create a cleaner, greener world!

People who embrace this lifestyle often swap out single-use items for reusable ones, like water bottles, shopping bags, and containers. It’s amazing how small changes can make a big difference! Plus, composting food scraps not only reduces waste but also enriches our gardens.

Now, let’s talk about the Tangie Promise! This is a commitment to support and promote the zero waste lifestyle by taking actionable steps to reduce waste, encourage sustainable practices, and inspire others to make environmentally conscious choices.

Together, the zero waste lifestyle and the Tangie Promise inspire us to make mindful choices and work towards a brighter, more sustainable future! Let’s join in and make a positive impact; every little bit helps!